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<-------Information about activities for specific age groups can be found by clicking on the appropriate button on the stained glass window on the left.

 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

PRAYERS PLEASE

On May 10th, Ron & I are venturing out of our normal lives to participate in a medical mission trip to Honduras. We’re asking for your prayers for our “team of volunteers” during this time. We’ll be in the dental group associated with an organization called MEDICO (Medical, Eye, Dental International Company). The conditions are primitive with no running water and no electricity, and a lot of sick people who get medical treatment about once a year or so. This will be a real adventure for us, but we’re going with a great team of experts. Going with us are Dr. Jack and Ginger Lewright from here and our daughter Katie and her husband Jason (he’s going as a translator but will graduate from medical school on May 18th). We’ll try to take plenty of pictures (maybe we should take Cathye with us!) to show you later, if you’re interested. So from now until May 17th, please keep us in your prayers.

Thank you, Nancy & Ron Knight

SUMMER INTERN OPENINGS

Sierra Vista UMC has Summer Intern openings!  We are in need of one Children’s Summer Program Intern and one Youth Summer Program Intern.  The minimum requirements are:  a valid driver’s license, a minimum of one year of college completed, and experience in children’s or youth church activities.  The salary for each of these positions is $1,650 for 3 months from mid-May to mid-August or June 1st to September 1st.

Responsibilities for the Children’s Summer Program Intern include assisting with:  Vacation Bible School, Summer Sunday School, Mission Explorers, Picnic with the Pastors, and Church camps.

Responsibilities for the Youth Summer Program Intern include assisting with:  mid-week Bible study, Church camps, Sunday evening activities, VBS Youth helpers, 2 day fun trip, and Mission trips.

Because of the scheduling of activities and the need for the interns to attend Summer camps, the positions are not flexible enough to allow for more than one 3-hour Summer school class during the 3 month work period.  For questions or an application, contact Jana Pritchett or Joy Allen at 944-4041.  

JANITORIAL POSITION OPEN

The Sierra Vista Child Development Center is looking for a part-time janitor who will take care of all the cleaning services for the CDC. All work must be done daily after the children leave at 1:30 p.m. All areas of the Child Development Center, rooms, offices, restrooms and halls must be cleaned. The cleaning will consist of 25 hours per week for the 35 weeks of the school year. During the 17 weeks of summer, the cleaning will consist of 10 hours per week. The position will pay $8 per hour. All applicants must pass background checks. For more information call the Church Child Development Center, 949-2075, and ask to speak to Shelly Johnson.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SECRET PRAYER PARTNERS FOR YOUTH
Thank you, thank you to everyone who signed up on their own and then especially to those that I coerced ever so gently to pray for our Youth. Your job now is to: 1) pray daily, 2) send a card at least twice a month or more if you can & 3) know that you are loved by Christ, Joy, and the parents of the child for whom you are praying.

If you have not mailed a card to the Youth you are praying for NOW IS THE TIME TO DO IT!!!!! Let them know someone is praying for them. Don’t tell them who you are, just that you are praying for them. Call me if you have any questions or need anything.

RELAY FOR LIFE 2008
Relay for Life 2008 is just around the corner, May 16 - 17!

Team leaders are:  
Ann Dodgen, Glenda Maddox, Joyce Sprott, Joy Allen, Tina Glass, and Sue Van Hoozer 

If you are a veteran participant in Relay for Life, please contact your team leader via email or telephone (if they don’t hear from you soon, they will contact you).  If you would like to participate in Relay for Life for the first time, please contact Sue Van Hoozer via email or telephone,  and she will place you on a team.

The purpose of Relay for Life is to raise money for cancer research.  As the SVUMC Wanderers Teams, we will have the following fundraisers: 1) in March – SVUMC shirt sale, 2) in April – Relay for Life Dinner in the Life Center, 3) in May – Bake Sale, 4) ongoing luminaries sales in honor or memory of your family and friends. Please join us as participants and/or support the Wanderers through these fundraising activities.  Watch the newsletter for dates and additional information.  

FAREWELL LUNCHEON FOR DR. DAVID EDGAR
May 17, 2008
11:00 am
FUMC Celebration Hall

Cost: $10 per person

Your $10 reservation must be turned in to the District Office no later than May 9th. Please send the correct amount and a list of names for whom you are paying. Donations toward a parting gift for David are also being collected. Please send any amount you wish to the District Office. You can add this amount to your reservation check, just be sure you memo how much is for the gift.

HANDBELL CONCERT FEATURING THE WESTMINSTER HANDBELL CHOIR
from
Westminster Choir College
Princeton, N.J.

Saturday, May 17th
7:00 p.m.  -  FUMC, San Angelo

A great opportunity to hear an outstanding handbell choir!

SENIOR RECOGNITION SUNDAY

We will honor graduating Seniors and their families on Sunday, May 18th.  A Senior Celebration Luncheon will be held in the Auditorium after our worship services.

If you see any of these Seniors, give them a hug or a handshake. We are graduating another great group.

If you attend Sierra Vista and have a child graduating, that is not listed, please contact the Church Office at 944-4041 immediately so we can include them in the recognition bulletin and luncheon.

“BEACH PARTY - SURFIN' THROUGH THE SCRIPTURES!”   
June approaches soon, and planning for Vacation Bible School is in full swing!  Many volunteers have signed up, but more are needed!  Please consider where you might serve this year…it is always a great week of sharing God’s word with children.  Here are the immediate needs:  Discovery Time/Missions Leader and helpers, Bible Story Leader and helpers, Preschool & Kindergarten teachers.  Helpers are needed as well for recreation, crafts, music, decorating and planning/registration.

Vacation Bible School: June 9-12 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Theme:
“Beach Party – Surfin’ Through the Scriptures”

Sierra Vista supports a wonderful Vacation Bible School for over 150 children each year –please contact Jana at 944-4041 or jpritchett@sierravista.org as soon as you know where you can serve!

Let us love, not in word or speech,but in truth and action. -1 John 3:18

CURRENT NEEDS

BEACH PARTY..."SURFIN' THE SCRIPTURES!"

Vacation Bible School: June 9-12 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

Planning continues and excitement grows as we continue to prepare for Vacation Bible School this year!  If you are still considering volunteering, let me say that it is always a terrific week of fun, learning, and fellowship!

Here are the immediate needs: 
Bible Story Leader and helpers
Preschool & Kindergarten teachers and helpers.

Helpers are needed as well for recreation, crafts, discovery time/missions, music, decorating and planning/registration.  Sierra Vista supports a wonderful Vacation Bible School for over 150 children each year – please contact Jana at 944-4041 or jpritchett @ sierravista.org (without the spaces) as soon as you know where you can serve!

WE NEED YOU...CALL TODAY!
The next Vacation Bible School Meeting will be on Monday, May 12th at 6:30 p.m. in Room S-1.  Please plan on attending or contact Jana about receiving important VBS information!

A “crafty” afternoon has been planned for Wednesday, May 14th in the Life Center from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Come help prepare craft materials for Vacation Bible School!

Registration for Vacation Bible School starts Sunday, May 11th!  See the table set up in the Narthex, visit the website at www.sierravista.org/child.htm, or come by the church office for registration forms!  Kids from 4 years to 6th grade may register, and older kids may sign up as helpers!

Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. -1 John 3:18

GRADUATING SENIOR SCHOLARSHIPS
Sierra Vista will be giving 4 $500 scholarships to graduating Seniors this year. This money is not in our Youth or General budget, it has to come from individuals or families donating to this scholarship fund. As of 4/30/08, we have $1000 given toward this fund. I encourage you to donate to this fund with your memorials or honorariums. If you want to make a donation to this fund, just write Sr. Scholarship in the item line.  We have several Seniors very deserving of this scholarship. Please contact Joy with questions or comments.

WHY THE SHOPPING CART?
Does anyone ever wonder why there is a grocery shopping cart in the Narthex? It is there to be filled with groceries donated for Project Dignidad. What is Project Dignidad? Project Dignidad is an ecumenical ministry that provides food in emergency situations to individuals and families in our community.

I challenge the people of Sierra Vista to fill that grocery cart each week with peanut butter, tuna fish, flour, rice, beans or any canned good you have in your pantry. If everyone would just bring one food item from their pantry each week when you come to church we could fill the basket every week!

So, do it now, set out a canned good to take to church with you this Sunday! Thank you!

YOUR EVANGELISM COMMITTEE NEEDS YOU!!!
The Evangelism Committee is looking for folks to be greeters and other to assist visitors at our Welcome Center at both Sunday services on a limited schedule. Call Shawn Floyd or the Church Office, 944-4041, if you would be interested.

HANDBELL FUND
Hooray! We’ve collected $4,154 so far for handbells and will order our 4th octave right away! We should receive the new bells this fall. Our ultimate goal is to have our own 5 octave set, so we’ll need to raise an additional $7,000 to finish the set.

SPONSOR-A-BELL
Would YOU (individuals or groups) like to buy a handbell in memory or honor of someone special? We’re trying to fill out our 4th and 5th octaves. The time has come to return the borrowed set we’ve been using. The sound of bells will be a blessing to our worship for many years to come!

UPDATE: Hooray! We’ve collected $4,154 so far for handbells and will order our 4th octave right away! We should receive the new bells this fall. Our ultimate goal is to have our own 5 octave set, so we’ll need to raise an additional $7,000 to finish the set.

SAN ANGELO PROJECT GRADUATION 2008
Sally Reid & Yvonne Biedermann have contacted all the local churches to request help, either  as volunteers or financially, to host another safe, drug-free, alcohol-free Project Graduation on Saturday, May 31st at Sunset Mall. The last event happened in 2004. If any of you are interested in helping in any way, please contact Sally Reid, Yvonne Biedermann or Joy Allen at the numbers published in the Vista News.

PERMANENT ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE
Our walks in the Christian faith are filled with many individual steps. Some of the steps taken are straightforward, steps we get pleasure from and relish. The birth of a child or the making of a new Christian friend are steps that many of us have enjoyed. At the same time, we have also experienced other steps in our lives that are more difficult to bear, and many of us have also faced steps that are simply confusing. As Followers, we are asked to seek God’s guidance to lead us through the periods of our walks that we are now facing individually. Specifically, in Micah 6:8, we are called “to act justly and to love mercy/and to walk humbly with [our] God.”

Part of this walking humbly with God is taking care of what He has given us. Psalm 24 speaks to the idea that God owns all our possessions: “The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it.” This Christian perspective calls us to continue to walk humbly with Him by seeking His will in justly managing His possessions. The Church calls this stewardship; it is a way we serve God, and it is a part of the Christian walk that can prove both challenging and confusing. Some in our congregation are currently facing this very step.

To help members with this challenge of stewardship, a committee for Sierra Vista’s Permanent Endowment Fund was formed in January. The Permanent Endowment Fund is a service to those who love the Church and who desire to expand the Church’s witness and mission; it is a Fund whose goal is to turn any contributor’s gift into a lasting legacy. With this enduring goal in mind, the Permanent Endowment Fund is designed to supplement the customary stewardship responsibilities of individuals; it is not intended to replace regular annual giving for the Church’s established programs, and only interest earned from the principle is used for the work of this fund.

Additionally, the Permanent Endowment Fund Committee believes its role should be to help members of Sierra Vista with this step of stewardship in their Christian walks. Toward this end, the Committee will sponsor a seminar on estate planning in the latter part of October. The seminar, “Putting Your House in Order,” will outline how to leave a plan for your loved ones and how to continue your humble walk with God by carefully stewarding your part of His kingdom.

CHURCH CONTRIBUTIONS DRAFTED
For those who signed up to have their church contributions drafted, please contact the Church Office at 944-4041 if you need a new packet of bank draft cards.

If you would like to sign up for bank draft, please contact the Church Office, 944-4041.

CHECK OUT THE LIBRARY
The church library has moved to N-3 (the old nursery). It is located off the south end of the Narthex in the door that says “Step Up”. In that foyer are books for you to take and share with others. To the right, you will find the library. Books on praying are being “highlighted” for the Lenten Season.

To check out a book:
  1) Remove the card from the book pocket
  2) Sign & date card
  3) Place card on computer desk
  4) When you return the book, place it on the computer desk

Take advantage and enjoy your church library!

Our church library has the best selection of books covering a broad range of subjects. Thanks to the Ott’s, a software package has been provided that will sort books by: title, author, publisher, year published and other library identifications. Just ask Pat Towler how many books we have by authors of A & B last names. She has entered almost 200 books and that is only 1/8 of the existing library! Besides the library there is a closet of resource books as well as tapes and videos. These have not been sorted as yet, but are available to everyone! Come to the church library and find the treasures. Archeology sounds fun to me! Any questions, contact Penny Fritz.

PRAYERS FOR MILITARY
Our military prayer chain is going strong.  Please stop by the table in he Narthex for the most current list of names and addresses of "Sierra Vista affiliated" Military. 

Prayers of THANKSGIVING!!!

Joey Trejo has returned safely from Iraq.
Steven Jacoby has returned safely from Afghanistan.
Kevin Bruce has returned safely from Iraq...KEEP PRAYING...HE'S GOING BACK!
Juan Gonzalez has returned safely from Iraq.
Daniel Jones has returned safely from Egypt.
Steve Schultz is safely back in the states.
John Adams will be in Germany with his family by Christmas.
James Foster arrived safely back home on December 1st.
James Stultz and the men in his Platoon have returned safely from Iraq!
Josh Nelson has returned safely from Iraq!
Glenn Kerr has returned safely from Iraq!
Chris Poteet has returned safely from Iraq!      
Phillip Poteet has returned safely from Iraq!
Shelley Brotherton … (daughter-in-law of Joyce Brotherton) … has safely returned from Iraq!
Matthew Eubanks ... (son-in-law of Bill and Lynette Ott) ... has returned safely from Qatar! 
Steven Kling ... (son-in-law of Doug and Maggie Altom) ... has returned safely from Afghanistan!
James Stultz and the men with him were not seriously injured when an explosive device blew up the front of their Humvee!

 Would you be willing to add a few of these items to your grocery list to donate to Project Dignidad? This ecumenical ministry provides food in emergency situations to individuals and families. Sierra Vista has supported this ministry through donations for many years. The recipients of these donations are very grateful. Baskets labeled “Project Dignidad” are located in the Narthex. Items collected will be delivered to Project Dignidad each week. Thanks so much for your help!  

PLEASE HELP US UPDATE OUR MEMBERSHIP FILES 

We are trying to update the membership files to get our records current and to make a Sierra Vista “yellow pages,” and we need your help. Please contact the Church Office at 944-4041, or e-mail Ann at adodgen@sierravista.org, with your current information; i.e. where you work and your work phone number. Also, if you have a new home address, phone or cell number, or e-mail address, please let us know. Even if you think we have everything correct, please send the information in to us so that we can double-check. Thank you for your help with this project.

VISITATION COMMITTEE
We would like to start a Visitation Committee to brighten some of our members’ days. Please let Karen Brewer know if you would be willing to visit someone who can’t get out much on a regular basis – once or twice a month. If enough of you sign up, we will have an organizational meeting to determine how we will operate. Thank you.

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THANK YOU

* * * * * * * * * *

(May 6, 2008)

Dear Friends,    My family and I truly appreciate your prayers, cards and calls during my father’s illness and death. You are a blessing in our lives. With love, Marilyn & Bill McCarley & the Ralph Wilson family

A special thank you to the wonderful, cheerful, helpful group of Vista Volunteers who turned out to produce the newsletter on April 22.  They included: Jamie Schooler  Ida Mae Shawn Beverly Holbert Jerri Schooler Martha McMeans Lila Sprott Barbara Richards Cathye Moon Bonnie Sumey

GRACE & GRUB--AKA--JR./SR. LUNCH Thanks goes to many Sierra Vista volunteers for serving, cooking, baking and buying lunch for 250ish Jr.’s & Sr.’s on April 24th. These wonderful volunteers were Tina Glass, Ann Dodgen, Dale Middleton, Kim Meyer, Cindy Kountz, Sue Van Hoozer, Shawn Floyd, Sharon Felts, Penny Fritz, Laurie Kirgis, Gretta Warren, LuAnn Lupton, Natalie Bryan, Nancy Knight, Evonne Teague, Lynette Ott, Gailann Huffman, Vanna Jones, Martha McMeans, Gina Johnson, Kay Sanderford, Katrina Pfluger, Debbie Montgomery, Stephanie Lanford, Sam Allen, Mary McClure, Marcia Abbott, Sue Lawrence, Tracey McIver, Glenda Maddox, Nancy Krasny, Sharla Denton, Alex Dietz, Judy Turner, Cindy Zafero, Sherie Barr, Brenda Richardson, Melayne Daniel, Ken Dahlberg, Debbie Louder, Barbara Salvato, Judy Herring, Janice Izzard, Diane Stegall, Kristie Richardson, Belen Coker & Karen Marks.

(April 22, 2008)

Thank you for those who prayed and visited with Curley while in the hospital. Also thank you to those who prayed for him and those who sent cards. My family and I truly appreciate these acts of kindness. God Bless You, Celeste & family

Dear Friends,    Thank you very much for your Birthday Box donation of $358.83. Your Birthday Box donations in 2007 more than covered our cash outlays for clothing for the young people at both the Home and the Shelter! Your gifts do make a difference. Sammye Ruppeck, Executive Director

Dear Sierra Vista Family,    Thank you so much for the prayers, cards and meals that you provided for my family during my recuperation. You never cease to amaze me. I am so blessed to be a part of this wonderful Body of Christ. You are truly Christ’s hands and feet. Love, Sarah Post

A special thank you to the wonderful, cheerful, helpful group of Vista Volunteers who turned out to produce the newsletter on March 11.  They included: Jamie Schooler Pat Towler Beverly Holbert Ida Mae Shawn Martha McMeans Ainsley, Brenley & Leann Criswell Tina Glass

Thank You  -  Thank You! Thank you, thank you, thank you…to the congregation for supporting the children at the April Burrito Breakfast!  You gave generously so that kids can go to summer camp!  With rising camp fees, this help is needed and greatly appreciated.  God bless you! Also, a huge thanks to the kids for being such joyful helpers, and to the Sierra Vista men, Children’s Council members, and parents who helped cook, clean and oversee the children.  What a blessing you all are!

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FUND RAISERS

 

FUNDRAISING FOR YOUTH EVENTS

EASTER LILIES & LUMINARIES Please pay for your Easter lilies or luminaries. Lilies are $9.50 each, luminaries are $5. Thanks, Joy

STAINED GLASS WINDOW NOTE CARDS The Youth still have lots of packages of note cards of the stained glass windows of Sierra Vista for sale. Check the table in the Narthex for the cards. Make your checks payable to Sierra Vista Youth. The cards are $8 for a package of 12 cards. The money from the sale of these cards will go toward the Mission Trip Fund.

CAR WASH TOKENS FROM TOWN & COUNTRY It’s getting warmer and we have 20 Car Wash tokens for sale. They’re $10 each and $5 goes directly to our Youth Fund. Town & Country will make your car shine and our Youth funds grow. Come by the Church Office or see Joy or Tina on Sunday.

SODA CAN PULLS Remember to continue saving your soda can pull tops. 24 pounds of pulls will help a family of 4 spend a night in the Ronald McDonald House. Thank you for all your support of this project!

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WEEKLY RESOURCES

 

TRANSPORTATION TO CHURCH Volunteers pick up anyone who would like to attend church on Sunday morning and needs transportation.  If you are not a regular rider, would like more information on this ministry, or need to change or cancel the bus, please call the Church Office, 944-4041.

 

Lectionary Scripture Readings
May 11	Acts 2:1-21 Psalm 104:24-34,  35b 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 John 7:37-39
May 18	Genesis 1:1-2;4a Psalm 8 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 Matthew 28:16-20
May 25	Isaiah 49:8-16a Psalm 131 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 Matthew 6:24-34

The deadline for articles in the Vista News is at 5 p.m. on the following days: Newsletters will be mailed the following Tuesdays.

Vista News Deadlines & Folding Dates for 2007
Deadline May 22 June 5 June 19	olding Date May 27 June 10 June 24	Deadline	Folding Date	Deadline	Folding Date

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LINKS TO PICTURES

PHOTO ALBUM ADDED TO WEBSITE

A Photo Album page has been added to the Sierra Vista website. <http://www.sierravista.org/photoalbum.htm> 
It can be reached by clicking on the bottom button of the stained glass window menu found on the left side of most of the website pages or by clicking on the camera below.

 
The Photo Album page contains links to pictures from many of the church activities during 2005 & 2006.   More pictures will be added as they become available.  Be aware that even though the pictures have been compressed and reduced in size, the pages are still very "graphics intense" and may freeze older computers.

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Although Claire Reynolds was a bit older than most of the College Crazies Crew, she has been an "honorary" part of the group  for the past couple of years. Her death was a tragic loss.  Memorial pages have been added to the College website at <http://www.sierravista.org/college/clairemem.htm>  You are invited to visit her memorial pages and to send a favorite memory ... or a favorite scripture if you did not know her ... to be posted on her tribute page.  They can be sent to <cathcom02@yahoo.com>

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